234 THE CLERK OF THE WOODS 



been told the day before. She had felt 

 obliged, as I heard the story, to attend a meet- 

 ing of the woman's club, but remarked to 

 one of her assembled sisters that she had had 

 half a mind to stay at home. The truth 

 was, she explained, that two or three meadow 

 larks were singing gloriously in the rear of 

 her house, and she could hardly bear to come 

 away and leave them. I hope her self-denial 

 was rewarded. 



On the same day I heard of a servant who 

 hastened into the sitting-room to say to her 



mistress, " Oh, Mrs. ! there 's a little 



bird out in the hedge singing to beat the 

 band." The newcomer proved to be a song 

 sparrow, and the lady of the house was fully 

 as enthusiastic as the servant in her welcome 

 of it, though I dare say she expressed her- 

 self in less picturesque language. 



And I know another house, still nearer 

 home, where a few days ago the dinner-table 

 was actually deserted for a time, in the very 

 midst of the meal. Three bluebirds, with 

 snowbirds, goldfinches, and chickadees, had 

 suddenly appeared under the windows. 

 " There ! there ! In the maple ! Will you 



